The entrance of it's a small world has been moved all the
way down to the Liberty Square end of the attraction. Photo by Brian Bennett.

it's a small world returns

After 10 and a half months of refurbishment, the it's a small world
attraction returned with a soft opening sneak preview on Friday night
and an official opening yesterday. The ride sports a new entrance facade
similar to the one in California, a new entrance location, rebuilt dolls
and a return to the original soundtrack from the 1964-1965 New York World's
Fair (remastered for a cleaner sound). Unfortunately, the one unhappy
face in the attractionthe clown in the balloon holding the HELP!
sign in the finale roomseems to have disappeared. With the creation
of the new stroller area in front of the former Skyway ride building,
the former stroller parking area is now the first leg of the queue, which
is entered near the corner closest to Liberty Square.

The new stroller parking area, which has allowed the first area under
the roof to be turned into more of the it's a small world
attraction's queue, is packed. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Thanks to Brian Bennett, we have some great photos of the attraction
in today's Update. I've also thrown in a couple of photos I took days
before the attraction closed, for comparison's sake. Brian took even more
cool photos, but we'll hold them for next week so that we can showcase
the reopened attraction. (And so that we can get that song into your head
so that you're humming it all week).

The new it's a small world entrance facade has a nice, spiffy
paint job. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Dolphin dies while on loan from Living Seas pavilion to National Aquarium

Bob, a 500-pound dolphin on loan from Epcot's Living Seas pavilion to
the National Aquarium, was euthanized after a long battle with illness.
The dolphin, who had been loaned to the Baltimore facility two years ago
for breeding purposes, had been fighting an infection since September.

Stitch "enhancements" now in place

The refurbishment of the right-hand chamber of Stitch's Great Escape
has been completed, and guests are now using that chamber (which exits
through the reopened Merchant of Venus shop) while the left-hand chamber
receives its own refurbishment. The "enhanced" show is largely
the same as the old show, but with some new audio clips, a few other effects
and a new ending.

There are now kid voices talking about Stitch to try to make the kids
less afraid during the darkness, saying things like "Look, Mommy!
It's Stitch!" and "Man, he's fast!" The new ending, which
is reportedly not quite as abrupt as the original, features Stitch visiting
Cinderella Castle (but we won't spoil the entire ending for you).

The it's a small world ride's new facade is reminiscent of
the appearance of Disneyland's version of the attraction. Photo by Brian
Bennett.

The old it's a small world facade was colorful, but had severely
faded before the refurbishment. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Tensions rise at Disney Reservations Center

Due to a low retention rate of new hires, the Disney Reservations Center
has decided to shorten their hours and change goals, angering employees.
As of last night, the call center is closing an hour early at 10 p.m.
Agents who had worked until 11 p.m. were told that if they could not reschedule
and arrange to work enough hours to maintain their status (20/40 hours
for part/full-time), they would be fired.

We are told that waits on the travel and dining phone queues have been
averaging 30 minutes to an hour on some days, with the majority of callers
hanging up. Other areas have required overtime. Agents, who have been
told that it's unacceptable to sign out to take a breather or get something
to drink, are also not allowed to put callers on hold. In addition, a
new mandate is that dining agents are expected to make at least one booking
per call, resulting in a hard-sell mentality that was not previously in
evidence.

So please be patient when you call the Disney Reservations Center, as
they're doing their best to do their job.

A close-up view of the it's a small world facade shows details
of the buildings from around the world. Photo by Brian Bennett.

The old international it's a small world facade was getting
dingy. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

Road work around entrance archways

Several inbound roadways around the resort are experiencing closures
due to work on the various entrance archways. Outbound lanes are not affected;
all lanes will be open. The schedule is as follows

Last Friday, March 18, on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, the far right lane
was closed to traffic from 1:30-6:30 p.m.; all other inbound lanes were
open.

Tuesday, March 22, on World Drive, the center lanes, followed by
the outside lanes, will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; traffic
will have at least two lanes open at all times.

Wednesday, March 23, on Osceola Parkway, the far left lane, followed
by the center lane and then the far right lane will be closed to traffic
from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; inbound traffic will have at least two lanes open
at all times.

Thursday, March 24, on Epcot Drive, the far left, followed by the
center lane and then the far right lane will be closed to traffic from
11 a.m.-6 p.m.; inbound traffic will have at least two lanes open at
all times.

The it's a small world attraction's exit now goes behind the
clock tower. Photo by Brian Bennett

Power Rangers join Studios parade

As of last Tuesday, the Stars and Motor Cars Parade at the Disney-MGM
Studios added another vehicle join the cavalcade. A Power Rangers car
features five Power Rangers, one from each of five different Power
Ranger series. The Ranger incarnations represented are Power Rangers
Space Patrol Delta (Red Ranger), Power Rangers Time Force (Pink Ranger),
Power Rangers Wild Force (Lunar Wolf Ranger), Power Rangers Ninja Storm
(Green Ranger) and Power Rangers Dino Thunder (White Ranger).

Aside from the clock tower inside of the it's a small world
exit queue and the new first leg under the awning, the general queue layout
is largely unchanged. Photo by Brian Bennett

LEGO store finishes refurbishment

The LEGO Imagination Center at Downtown Disney Marketplace has completed
its major refurbishment. A family walking a bunch of dogs and a huge robot
are among the new LEGO creations decorating the outside. The interior
now features a hands-on mural construction area, motorized LEGO scenes,
and the world's largest LEGO Pick-A-Brick wall.

We've seen enough of the it's a small world facade. Now, it's
time to look into the bright colors of the refurbished attraction. Photo
by Brian Bennett.

New baby-swap procedure?

MousePlanet reader Amy Eikel reports that she experienced a change to
the baby swap procedures at all attractions. When the cast member staffing
the entrance is asked about baby swap procedures, a special three-person
rider exchange Fastpass is issued. When the first rider from
the party comes out of the attraction, the person watching the baby (and
two others) now use the Fastpass entrance instead of returning via the
exit walkway.

The ice skater twirls in the first scene of it's a small world.
Photo by Brian Bennett

Ears to the ground

We are hearing that plans have been drawn up for a new Indiana
Jones Adventure attraction to replace the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt
Spectacular. The plans are reportedly being readied for approval by
Steven Spielberg and/or George Lucas for approval, with a targeted opening
some time in 2009. This has not yet been confirmed. If somebody out there
can confirm anything about this one way or the other, please let
us know!

Flying carpets and box kites fill the skies in it's a small world.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

Correcting a statement from last week, the Happiest Celebration
on Earth overlay on Cinderella Castle is not yet completed. Tinker Bell
has yet to be added to the top spire of the castle. The crane used in
the placement of the decorations was removed from its location behind
the castle in order to clear the courtyard for the huge Eastertime crowds.
When the hordes depart after the weekend of April 23, the crane
returns to finish the job.

The jungle colors are brilliantly refreshed in it's a small world.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

It appears that the soft opening sneak preview of Soarin' at The
Land pavilion at Epcot are happening daily now. Guests enter through a
side entrance near the Imagination pavilion. The soft openings are occurring
during the afternoon into early evening.

This past weekend, Disney-MGM Studios management decided to keep
the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show running up to its
maximum of three shows per day due to projections of record crowds at
the park. The show is still in test-and-adjust mode, however, and the
show times could possibly change on a daily basis. Due to this status,
there is no guarantee that the show will run every day. Fastpass will
be available beginning at 9 a.m. each day on days that it is running.

Cleopatra had been looking very dingy before the it's a small world
refurbishment. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.

But she's looking much better now. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Due to higher-than-expected crowd levels, the Magic Kingdom decided
to extend its operating hours by one hour to 11 p.m. last Friday night.

The giant kaleidoscope at Downtown Disney has been removed. No
word yet on whether it's a refurbishment or a permanent removal.

Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips,
rumors, and comments. Email us here.

Central and South America in it's a small world look bright
and sunny. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Magic Kingdom

20,000 League Under the Sea lagoon  most of the area
has reopened, featuring corraltype planters and more walkway space.
The remainder is still reported to be transforming into a Hundred Acre
Wood-themed meet-and-greet, with an uncertain opening date..

Timekeeper  opens seasonally. The attraction is currently
open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Saturday, April 2.

Jungle Cruise, the Enchanted Tiki Room  Under New
Management, the Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear
Jamboree  open at 10 a.m. every day.

The Central Plaza (hub area in front of the castle) 
undergoing more refurbishing in preparation for the Cinderellabration
show coming later this year. The remaining walls will come down on Saturday.

Stitch's Great Escape  is running at half-capacity while
the show is upgraded. No expected completion date yet.

Cinderella's Surprise Celebration  last performance was
Saturday, February 26. Reported to be returning after the 18-month Happiest
Celebration on Earth festivities end.

Cinderellabration  preview performances are underway.
Cast previews are scheduled for April 45. Official opening is
May 5. Expected to run until the end of the 18-month Happiest
Celebration on Earth festivities.

The Polynesian tikis are once-again vibrantly colored in it's a
small world. Photo by Brian Bennett.

Epcot

Entire park  closes at 3 p.m. on May 5 for the "Happiest
Celebration on Earth" press event.

Soarin'  officially scheduled to open on May 5, but may
have an earlier soft opening. Cast previews are April 810, and
passholder and DVC previews are April 1517 during park hours.

The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses at The
Land  discontinued due to construction of the queue area for Soarin'.
Will resume when the pavilion reopens.

The Land pavilion  closed thru April 26 for completion
of the retheming to match the new Soarin' attraction.

The Wonders of Life pavilion  open seasonally. The Pure
and Simple eatery and the Well and Goods Limited shop have
been removed, while the Body Wars, Cranium Command, and
The Making of Me attractions now open when the pavilion is open.
The pavilion is currently open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday,
April 2.

The Polynesian hut in it's a small world is looking great
again. Photo by Brian Bennett

Disney-MGM Studios

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, an American
version of the popular Moteurs Action! stunt
show from the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris, is officially
scheduled to debut on May 4. Cast previews are scheduled for April 67.
Daily preview performances for the public are underway for test-and-adjust
purposes. Show times are subject to change, and there is no guarantee
that the show will run on a given day. Fastpass tickets are available
beginning at 9 a.m. each day.

Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!  closed April 410
for show change-out. A JoJo's Circus segment will replace the Rolie
Polie Olie segment.

Animal Kingdom

Lucky the Dinosaur  is scheduled to appear in May 
July 2005. Official debut is May 6.

Expedition Everest  is scheduled to open in Spring 2006.

The it's a small world finale is looking great. Photo by Brian
Bennett.

Resorts

Polynesian Resort  nearing completion of the refurbishment
of longhouses: Rapa Nui and the suites in Tonga through April 1; Tahiti
April 24  August 17; Tokelau May  September. Work on the
Great Ceremonial House also appears to be underway: stores moving to
the main lobby area; Captain Cook's Snack Company expanding to fill
the rest of the rear of the building.

BoardWalk Resort  Conversion of the previous
Disney Vacation Club sales center into 19 additional villa-style accommodations
through June, and the second floor villas located directly above the
project area not available for booking during the construction. Major
pipe replacement project underway in corridors outside guest rooms daily
9 a.m.  5 p.m. through summer 2005. No work scheduled inside guest
rooms.

Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa  Phase I's construction
of four buildings complete; Phase II's eight units will open one each
month, beginning in March 2005; Phase III's the six units due in 2007,
involves razing the old Fairway Villas.

Beach Club Resort  The Sandcastle Club child care center
closed thru March 31 to refurbish Atlantic Wear & Wardrobe Emporium.
Harbor Club at the BoardWalk Resort reopens for that three-month period.
Sandcastle Club reopens April 1.

Coronado Springs Resort  Exhibit hall construction continues;
scheduled to open spring 2005. Construction noises may be audible throughout
the Casitas section of the resort during the daytime construction.

The clown in the balloon holding the HELP! sign appears to
have been replaced by a happy clown in it's a small world.
Photo by Brian Bennett.

Water Parks

No current refurbishments.

Elsewhere

Several inbound roadways around the resort will experience
closures due to work on the various entrance archways. Outbound lanes
will not be affected; all lanes will be open.

Tuesday, March 22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., World Drive - center lanes,
followed by outside lanes, will be closed to traffic; traffic will
have at least two lanes open at all times.

Wednesday, March 23 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Osceola Parkway - far
left lane, followed by center lane and then far right lane, closed
to traffic; inbound traffic will have at least two lanes open at
all times.

Thursday, March 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Epcot Drive - far left,
followed by center lane and then far right lane, closed to traffic;
inbound traffic will have at least two lanes open at all times.

Summer passholder and Florida resident rates are out

Annual Passholder and Florida resident resort discounts valid most nights
from April 17 through July 4 have been announced. Rates start at $74 for
value resorts and $104 for moderates. See the Passholder web site (link)
or MouseSavers (link)
for more information.

DVC golf discount, bonus

Walt Disney World golf courses are now offering Disney Vacation Club
members free club and shoe rentals through March 31, 2005. DVC members
can also purchase a DVC Annual Golf Membership for $50 plus tax. The golf
membership grants special prices and perks at the WDW golf courses.

Radisson Resort Parkway announces rates through 2005

Radisson Resort Parkway, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their rates
through the end of 2005.

Plan ahead and save a few bucks

The entire price structure has changed as of January 2 to the new "Magic
Your Way" passes. Advance purchase discounts are only available on
tickets above the base ticket of at least 5 days.

Adult/Child Total Cost

1-day

2-day

3-day

4-day

5-day

6-day

7-day

8-day

9-day

10-day

Base Ticket

$59.75 / $48

$119 / $96

$171 / $137

$185 / $148

$193 / $155

$196 / $157

$199 / $160

$202 / $162

$205 / $164

$209 / $167

W/ Park Hopper

$94.75 / $83

$154 / $131

$206 / $172

$220 / $183

$228 / $190

$231 / $192

$234 / $195

$237 / $197

$240 / $199

$244 / $202

W/ Plus Pack

$104.75 / $93

$164 / $141

$216 / $182

$230 / $193

$238 / $200

$241 / $202

$244 / $205

$247 / $207

$250 / $209

$254 / $212

(plus 2)

(plus 2)

(plus 2)

(plus 3)

(plus 3)

(plus 4)

(plus 5)

(plus 5)

(plus 5)

(plus 5)

Premium Ticket

$139.75 / $128

$199 / $176

$251 / $217

$265 / $228

$273 / $235

$276 / $237

$279 / $240

$282 / $242

$285 / $245

$289 / $247

Premium, No Expiration

N/A

$209 / $186

$261 / $227

$280 / $243

$308 / $270

$321 / $282

$334 / $295

$382 / $342

$392 / $395

$399 / $347

Advance Purchase Discount

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

$7/$6

$9/$7

$11/$9

$11/$9

$11/$9

$12/$9

Annual Passholders

Receive 10 percent off the price of their lunch meal at selected
Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants, and the discount is good for
up to three guests. The offer is valid Mondays through Fridays. Call 407-WDW-DINE
(407-939-3463) for locations and reservations.

Mark (@MPMark) is a veteran of dozens of trips to Walt Disney World starting in 1972, with a few Disneyland trips thrown in for good measure. As a Disney stockholder and a Disney Vacation Club member, Mark is always in touch with what's going on with The Mouse. Mark serves as MousePlanet's Walt Disney World content coordinator. Mark is a senior information technology manager working for the State of New York. He lives in the suburbs outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son.

MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.